Best Gun Safes Reviewed and Rated

By Brian

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Gun safes are more than just a piece of hardware, they are a vital storage solution for your most prized possessions – your firearms. It’s one of the most essential and efficient storage spaces that keep your firearms and guns stored in a safe secure container. However, many states don’t require your firearms to be stored in safe, there are many that do. Regardless of what’s the law in your area, it’s always advisable to keep your firearms locked away, preventing children and unwanted persons to have access to them. There are just too many benefits to have one for the safety of everybody else in your home and too many drawbacks for not having one.

Our Top 3 Picks

SnapSafe Lock Box

5 out of 5 Our rating

Sturdy

Price: See Here

GunVault Gun Safe

4.6 out of 5 Our rating

Quick Access

Price: See Here

First Alert Safe

4.2 out of 5 Our rating

Secure

Price: See Here

Gun safes are the most efficient threat deterrent that keeps intruders away and helps keep your firearms and the ammunition safe in a secured place out of harm’s way. With crime escalating at an unprecedented rate, if you own a firearm it’s necessary to keep it secure and packed away in a safe place.

Should You Need a Gun Safe?

As a proud gun owner, it’s imperative to keep your prized possessions safe and secure and out of harm’s way. Security is the main concern for firearm owners, plus to keep those things away from the reach of children.

Despite being a protective storage solution in case of theft and burglary, they are a valuable threat deterrent in case of accidental fire. Although a fire may prove detrimental to your property, at least you can sure know your weapons are safe.

You just cannot keep an eye on your children all the time yet you can’t afford to let them anywhere near your firearms.

Unsecured firearms are potential targets for thieves which they could either sale or use it for their personal safety purpose. The last thing you’d want is to somebody else playing around with your licensed firearm.

Speaking of keeping your firearms away from the reach of children, many states have legal laws stating that you do so. You’ll want to check local laws to check if you fall under these regulations, but those who do, have to keep their firearms locked away from the reach of children if there are any in the vicinity.

Revolvers or pistols are decorative items or the most prized possessions for the firearms enthusiasts or collectors, so having a gun safe in your house can be a great addition to your home décor.

Things to Consider When Buying a Safe

Size – Before you purchase a safe, you’d want to consider how much space it accommodates without you getting cramped for more space. Obviously, you’d want one with appropriate size that can store all your firearms and other valuable items. Plus you’ll also want to factor in the fact that whether you intend to expand your firearm collection over time.

Weight – Weight of the safe is yet another deciding factor that might impact your decision, as a safe that weighs less than 300 pounds is less likely to make any difference to safeguarding your firearms. A lighter safe might seem a little easier to maneuver at first, but you cannot count on it under desperate circumstances. A 500+ pound safe would probably make a great fit for home use as moving such a heavy piece can get a little tricky, let alone carrying it out of the house.

Lock Type – Another important factor is the lock type as you want to understand your requirements before installing one. You have to understand your needs as to what kind of safety you’d prefer – whether you’ll contend with the manual safety that has a lock and a key or you wish to go with a combination lock that requires an access code to unlock it. Additionally, you can also have a biometric kind of safe which scans your fingerprint to gain access.

Locking Bolt – A good secure safe should have at least 4 bolts, however, more than 4 would be even better. The thickness of the bolts is equally crucial in keeping your safe impenetrable. According to your home settings and your needs, you can go for whatever seems appropriate for your style and needs.

Storage Space – Do you have enough space in your room? A good gun safe should provide ample room to improvise, especially if you plan to expand your collection of firearms in the coming future for safekeeping. You also have to consider how much it’s going to take after it has been installed. Make sure you visualize how much space it would take in your room before you make the purchase.

Fireproofing/Waterproofing – Would you like to purchase a safe that is fireproof or waterproof or would you just like to go with an ordinary safe? Depending upon the intensity and the length of exposure, a good gun safe with proper fireproofing rating might be able to ensure the safety of your valuable possessions or firearms under fire. Plus having a safe that is waterproof will ensure that your firearms remain protected even in the event that your safe is completely underwater.

Construction – The most important part of a safe is how well it’s constructed or what kind of materials are used in the making process. A poorly built safe will not be able to keep your firearms secure under desperate circumstances such as fire or burglary. It’s also important to determine the true thickness of the safe’s wall. Walls made of 7-gauge steel or thicker offer better protection against fire and theft.

Security Ratings – Understanding the various security ratings is probably the best way to determine how strong a safe is and to what extent it can withstand a forceful pressure. Almost every firearm falls under the classification of a residential security container (RSC) and certified by Underwriters Laboratories. There are other subsets of ratings which define how secure a safe is. It’s always advisable to purchase a safe with a rating of UL 1037. It’s not a good idea to purchase a safe with a lower rating.

Price – Last but not the least, the price of the safe determines how far you’re willing to go to keep your firearms safe and secure. Determining your budget can help you narrow down your choices. There are plenty of options out there both expensive and budget-friendly. You have to understand your requirements to better decide if you’re okay to go a bit over budget or you wish to keep it under budget.

These are some of the important features to guide you in the right direction before making the purchase. Make sure you make the right choice when buying a gun safe as it’s a very important investment keeping our firearms secure while keeping you within the law at the same time.

17 Best Gun Safes

1. SnapSafe

Number one on our best gun safes list, the SnapSafe Lock Box provides a safe storage solution for your firearms and ammunition and other valuable possessions at home or on-the-go. It’s a perfect security aid for the licensed conceal carry gun owners who need a safe storage place to safeguard their guns and ammunition when they are not carrying one. This is a quick access gun safe that is equipped with a traditional lock system. The heavy-duty steel construction looks secure enough to provide you with an efficient storage solution for your firearms.

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The high-quality foam padding on the inside makes sure your firearms and other valuables possessions stay in place without moving. As a gun holder, it’s your prime objective to keep your firearms secure and your family safe, especially children. This is where the SnapSafe comes to the picture.

Pros

Features a robust metal tab lock

Thick steel construction and high-quality foam padding

An upgraded security cable is included with each handgun safe

Cons

The keys are too thin and lightweight

2. Gunvault GV2000S

Keep your most prized and equally dangerous possessions out of the reach of burglars and careless family members, especially children in a super solid gun safe all while keeping your firearms close for easy access in desperate times. The GunVault GV2000S is a smart home security storage solution for your precious firearms and valuables. The reliable locking mechanism and precise fittings make it virtually impossible for anyone to force open this safe with home tools. The on-board computer alerts you of any unauthorized access with a loud sound and restricts access to the safe. You can also disable the audio feature for a smooth quiet operation.

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There’s foam cushioned padding on the inside which helps protect your firearms from taking damage while keeping them safe for storage. The safe has ample room to easily hold two handguns allowing you to keep one on you for self-defense at all times and the other for the safety of your home and your family. The built-in motion sensor goes off when the keypad, in any case, is tampered with and it creates a loud sound to wake the whole neighborhood, let alone scare the culprits.

Pros

Made of 16-gauge steel construction

Quickly accessible

Audio disable option

High-strength lock mechanism

Cons

Large frame revolvers may not fit

3. First Alert 5200DF

This quick-entry handgun safe is your ideal security solution to safeguard your handguns and ammunition. This portable handgun safe is made of heavy-duty 18-gauge steel accompanied by a unique No-Eyes keypad that allows you to easily access the safe even in the dark. The spring-loaded door allows for an easy and quick access when needed. For added security, the safe is protected by a programmable passcode which safeguards your valuables from unknown forces.

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The foam padding inside protects your firearms and ammunition from taking damage, plus it’s noise-free for quiet operation. The included security cable and pre-drilled holes make it easy to mount the safe literally anywhere you want – in your bedroom, your vehicle, home study, or behind the nightstand. The spring-loaded mechanism presents your firearm in no time upon successful passcode entry in case of emergencies.

Pros

Ideal portable solution

Made of heavy-duty 18-gauge steel

It comes with a 1500-pound test security cable

Cons

It runs off a 9-volt battery which gives you approximately 8 hours of battery life

4. Fortress Alarming

A smart investment for your most valuable possessions especially your prized firearms, the Fortress Quick Access Alarming Gun Safe is a rock solid security solution that keeps your firearm storage woes out of the equation. The tamper-proof design and a heavy-duty steel construction help prevent any unwanted access keeping your firearms secured and protected at all times. It has ample room to fit two full-sized handguns with ease making it a smart home security solution for your firearm storage needs.

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It’s equipped with a programmable e-lock mechanism that provides an easy and quick access to your firearms and the spring-assisted lid drops down your handgun in no time. You can also override the security key in case you forgot the code or some sort of malfunction for a quick access. The super-quiet keypad makes for a trouble-free access in no time which allows you to draw your weapon in case of emergencies. The soft padding inside is an added advantage to keep your firearms safe and un-damaged for a long time.

5. Hornady Security

For the gun owners who like to invest in a reliable security solution with top notch features and easy access, this rock solid Hornady Gun Safe won’t disappoint. The touch-free entry safe with a certified childproof design makes a great investment for your firearm security solution. You can easily access the safe from any RFID-enabled accessory such as a bracelet, access card, or a key fob. Simply waive the RFID in front of the interface and the spring-assisted lid opens up instantly. Apart from RFID access methods, you have multiple options to access the safe such as a conventional key lock.

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The exterior is heavy-duty 14-gauge steel for superior tamper-proof construction and both AC and battery power ensure your firearms is protected and ready to go24/7. There’s a solid cable included in the pack that keeps your safe stored and protected in virtually anywhere you want. It will effortlessly fit your most full-sized handguns while providing an easy and quick access.

Pros

Made of thick 16-gauge steel

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) for instant access

Pre-programmed with a simple four-button passcode

Includes a security cable

Cons

Limited storage space

6. GunVault MV500-STD

Don’t let the briefcase-sized profile and lightweight design of the GunVault fool you. Crafted with heavy-gauge steel and packed with state-of-the-art features completed with foam padded interiors, this solid gun safe is virtually impenetrable. The high-strength locking mechanism and the precise fittings make home-keeping your firearms a breeze. Plus there are a ton of other features to keep your pistols and valuables secure. It’s so compact it easily fits in your backpack or briefcase while providing you security on-the-go.

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The on-board digital interface restricts any unauthorized access after repeated failed attempts and alerts you to the forced entries. It’s totally tamper-proof so you could have that peace of mind that your firearms are safe. It provides the top notch security solution for the right price without compromising on security. The inside is protected with a soft foam cushion to prevent your gun from getting damaged. The No-Eyes keypad is easy to operate even in the dark.

Pros

Constructed with a heavy-gauge steel

High-strength lock mechanism

Virtually impossible to pry open with hand tools

Compact enough to fit inside a briefcase

Cons

Incredibly lightweight

7. Artemis Biometric

As a prospective firearm owner, security of your most prized possession is your main concern. Thanks to Artemis Gun Safe, the safety and security of your firearms is in professional hands. Constructed from weapon-grade polycarbonate polymer – the same glass used in bulletproof glass and body armor – this high-quality gun safe is a top-of-the-class safety box that keeps your firearms out of harm’s way. The efficient fingerprint scanning technology ensures a reliable and superior performance, meaning you can always have that peace of mind that your valuable possessions are safe.

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The fingerprint program is easy to program and can take up to hundreds of unique combinations, making it secure enough to prevent any unauthorized access or accidental handling of firearms. Plus it is small enough to fit under your bed or inside the closet yet large enough to easily keep your licensed handguns and ammo safe. It’s tamper-proof and blocks any unauthorized access after 5 unsuccessful attempts and creates a loud sound, for an extra level of security. The mounting holes keep the safe in place. It’s also equipped with four AA batteries to ensure a smooth operation for months.

Pros

Affordable price

Biometric fingerprint scanning technology

Constructed from a weapons-grade polycarbonate polymer

Cons

Fingerprint identifier might not be sensitive enough

8. Ivation Quick Access

This solid electronic gun safe is one tough mean safety box that is virtually impossible to force open with just hand tools. Now keep your precious firearms and ammunition and other valuables safe from prying eyes and away from the reach of your children with this heavy-duty 16-gauge gun safe that’s built to last a lifetime. Inside the safe, you have foam padding and a removable shelf to change the vault’s layout to best serve your storage needs.

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You can program your own security code for an extra layer of security and you can also override the codes in case you forgot the code or the batteries are drained. A beep sound confirms each key entry. The onboard digital interface restricts any kind of forced entry by blocking access to the safe after repeated unsuccessful attempts. A simple push will lock the safe back up with ease. The battery indicator is a great feature which allows you to replace batteries in time.

Pros

16-gauge steel construction

High-strength locking mechanism

Reasonably well-priced

Onboard digital system

Cons

Works on batteries

9. Winixson 12.5

This heavy-duty safety box is the perfect home-keeping quick storage solution for your depository like cash, documents, jewelry, or anything valuable that you want to be stored safely. It guarantees total security of your valuables and your prized possessions and deters any unauthorized access like tampering or forced entry. The “Safety Key” feature is a great advantage which allows you to override current security settings with a 3-8 digit security pin for an extra level of protection. The keyless design makes it an easy use plus the auto-lock feature makes locking the safe a breeze.

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The sturdy construction and the state-of-the-art features give you an edge over security solutions. There’s an override key in case of any irregularities or device malfunction. Plus it blocks any unauthorized person from accessing the safe after 3 unsuccessful combination attempts. It feels a bit heavier but the extra weight makes it feel more secure and safe. It’s the best bang for your buck and a safe investment that will keep your valuables and firearms safe.

Pros

Complete security for quick depository

3-8 digits programmed PIN code

Advanced magnetic lock system

An override key in case of any malfunctions

Cons

Bit heavy

10. VaulTek VT20i

This one is scary Good scary. It sounds like the safe that Robocop would store that huge gun of his in, if he didn’t already keep it in his leg. Who doesn’t want that? It’s full of bells of whistles, designed to provide the utmost protection and security, all while looking damn cool doing it.

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The name of this safe is over seventy characters long!
Why is that important? Because it tells you, right in the title, that is no ordinary safe. That’s transparency is refreshing to see. It’s also pretty impressive, because wow is this this loaded!

Ooh, techy
This safe takes a lithium ion battery. How many safes can say that? Then again, how many safes can alert you to tampering and power levels on your phone? Not many? I thought not. All the gadgets here aren’t just for show, though. They help bring security up to insane levels.

Cost and Value
Not gonna lie here. When you initially look at this safe that’s roughly the size of a book, your first word may very well be “Oof’. Then you’ll look at it again, sat how cool intimidating it looks, and all the features it comes with, and you’ll change your mind. For what does, totally worth it.

Pros

Biometric access

Long lasting battery

Easily concealable

Very tough construction

Bluetooth app detects tampering

Cons

Needs a battery

Latch doesn’t always stay closed

11. SentrySafe QAP1BE

Thud. What the heck was that? In the middle of the night, if you need to get to your gun quickly and undetected, this safe is the one for you. It’s small, can be mounted to a wall near you, and let’s you get in, and take your firearm out, with one hand, swiftly and silently.

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Shhh...
A compression gas strut (sounds fancy) will open the door all quiet like, and then hold it open for you. Such gentlemanly conduct for such a cold, hard safe.

Look Ma, one hand!
Since this safe is so polite holding the door open for you, you can take advantage of this and access your gun with one hand. This comes in handy(!) when you need to get your gun quickly, but don’t necessarily want anyone to know. Sneaky sneaky.

Cost and Value
It’s another biometric safe, so right away it is a pricier choice, but you do get what you pay for. Except in this case, you get more than that because it offers top line features in a lower price point than others in the category.

Pros

Quick, quiet entry

Pry-resistant door

Override key for backup access

High-quality finger recognition

Cons

Locking mechanism housing has an exploitable gap

Has a hard time reading the access code

12. Stealth Handgun Hanger

This one is different. It’s not shaped like a book. It also won’t top out at just one gun. It’s shaped like a big box, and will easily hold up to five of your favorite pieces, if you decide to keep that many. Not to be outdone by its smaller peers, this safe still offers quick, silent access to your guns at the ready, while being near impossible to open until then.

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I can see!
In the middle of the night, sometimes you need to get into your safe, and for whatever reason don’t have the chance to turn on the light. That’s okay. The buttons will light up blue on the first touch, and once you open it, a nice red light greets you on the inside.

Lined up and ready to go.
You open up your safe and there they are. Three pistols, clean, polished, and lined up, waiting for you. It’s a truly beautiful sight to behold.

Cost and Value
The Stealth Handgun Hanger Safe Quick Access Electronic Pistol Security Box is actually quite a bit more affordable than I thought given its size and capacity it holds. When choosing a safe for your guns, you don’t want cheap in the quality, but in the price, that’s okay.

Pros

Have up to three guns at the ready

Convenient lighting

Optional silent mode

Spring loaded door for soft closing

Cons

Lock sometimes defective

Spring loaded door can jam

13. Ollieroo Solid Steel

Ollieroo. I don’t mean to poke fun at it, but that’s a neat name. I’d almost buy the safe for that alone. If I were really that foolish though, I’d still be getting a great deal, however unwittingly. It’s loaded with security features, has a tough solid exterior, roomy interior, and can be easily mounted anywhere I’d need to put it. Let’s not mention that being that foolish, I’d have no place owning guns to begin with...

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Can’t. Get it. Open….
In a good way. You can get into it easily enough, since you own it. But if there’s anybody you don’t want accessing it, they won’t. Can’t pry it open, can’t see the code you entered, they are out of luck.

Incredible value
It needs to be said repeatedly. For all the features this safe has that are found in other products at a significantly higher cost, it performs really well.

Cost and Value
Take a quick glance at the review for this safe. Seem familiar? It is. It has many of the same features that the other safes on this list have. So why buy this one? Go ahead and check out the price for this one. See? Now you get it.

Pros

Extremely difficult to pry open

No see passcode entry

Override key

Good capacity

Cons

Fingerprint setup not intuitive

Foam liner feels cheap

14. GunVault SV500

I think this is easily the most interesting looking safe on this list. It`s quite small and unobtrusive, and can be mounted anywhere. Even better, I think popping this baby open and sliding out your pistol has got to be one of the most satisfying things out there. I bet it makes you feel pretty cool too, and that`s what really matters.

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It’s a dispenser!
Seriously, I’m not trying to be funny (it`s natural). It looks like a handgun dispenser, and it kind of is. It`s designed to give you access to your gun as quickly as it possibly can, and with its unique design, it does.

Where do I put it?
Anywhere you want to, honestly. It’s small and discreet, and comes with lots of options for mounting it, so where it goes is limited to your imagination.

Cost and Value
It does exactly what you need it to do, without any needless baubles or doodads getting in your way. For that fact alone, the slightly higher cost of this product is completely justifiable.

Pros

Drop down drawer for quick access

Several mounting options

Interior courtesy light

Low power consumption

Cons

Keypad known to malfunction

Doesn’t always open smoothly

15. Scout Fire Proof 16

A rifle safe?!? I thought this was for handgun safes. Well no, it’s not, it just happens that handgun safes are more prevalent, and maybe more relevant. But that doesn't change the fact that people still need to house their long guns, and this safe works wonders for that task. It’s also fire rated, which is handy.

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My house is on fire…
But my guns are not. Not many safes boast any fire rating, let alone a good one. 30 minutes at 1200 hundred degrees fahrenheit is a pretty darn nice little perk this safe has.

It’s a tank
It weighs about 280 pounds, so really think about where you want to put it before buying. Because once you place it in your home, that’s where it lives, making it really hard for anyone to just walk away with it.

Cost and Value
It’s big, it’s heavy, and it’s expensive. But, you’re buying it to hold a bunch of your guns, not just one or two. It does that quite well, so it’s a good value for its price.

Pros

Good fire rating

Very solid

Door extremely hard to tamper with

Large capacity

Cons

Incredibly heavy

No built in interior lighting

18. Gunvault MV500-STD

It’s so small it’s cute. Sometimes, you need a safe that small, one that you can carry around easily from point A to point B. This is that safe. It can be bolted to the a wall or floor, but honestly, if you’re buying this safe, it’s because you need to be able to grab and go.

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Where’d it go?
I don’t just mean it’s small. I mean it travels well. It’s only slightly bigger than a legal size document, and weighs just over four pounds. I’d say that makes it pretty darn portable.

What’s my code again?
Make sure you know your code, because there are twelve million unique codes programmed into the keypad, so if you forget, well, good luck. Don’t worry, it does come with a key or override purposes, and it is customizable, so with a little planning ahead, you should be the only one getting into this safe.

Cost and Value
This is a niche safe. Meaning, you’re only going to buy it to meet a specific need, in this case portability. As it does that admirably, it’s fair price point is a bargain.

Pros

Extremely portable

Fast open action

Ideal for vehicles

Lid secures tightly

Cons

Buttons sometimes don’t respond

Door latch jams

19. Stack-On SS-22-MB-E 22

The name, Stack-on, is a bit of a misnomer. I mean sure, you could try to stack other safes on top of this one, but they’re heavy, so it’s not that practical. Otherwise, it’s a pretty great safe that’s room and adjustable enough to hold whatever you may need it to, and it does it securely too.

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So much room
Twenty two guns, and four adjustable shelves gives you so many options for storage that you may well run out of ideas for what to put in it.

Hey safe, what’s going on?
That is normally a silly question in this context. But this time, the safe will answer you. It has lights on it that will tell you when it’s open, when the battery is low, and when the passcode was wrong. I still can’t get it to ask about my day though...

Cost and Value
The Stack-On SS-22-MB-E 22 Gun Fully Convertible Security Safe with Electronic Lock is right in the price range of other similar products, with slightly better features and build quality so yeah, you’re definitely getting decent bang for your buck with this one.

Decision Time

Owning a gun is an investment and it’s not cheap either plus it requires documentation or permits to own one, therefore great care should be taken when you have one in your possession. Taking a good care of your gun is essentially important in order to make it last longer. The most important thing if you’re a firearm owner is you need to take responsibility in keeping both your family and gun secure while at home or on the road. This is where the gun safe comes in extremely handy to keep your firearm locked away safely and securely when home or while traveling. Do not put this off longer than you should because accidents happen at any time or moment.